AMAKHOSI TASTE RARE VICTORY
Lebese kick sink rookies
STEVE Komphela can finally breathe a sigh of relief following Kaizer Chiefs’ 1-0 win over Highlands Park last night.
The under-fire coach took his team to Tembisa fully aware that another draw or defeat would lead to more chants of “Steve must go” but last night’s result handed Chiefs their first win in a competitive match since February.
The victory for Amakhosi was hard fought as the home side showed some real fight. In fact, George Lebese’s second-half goal from the penalty spot that separated the two sides was a result of a foul by Augustine Leonard on William Twala that TV replays showed was outside the box.
Chiefs didn’t have it all their own way, though. They had a scare as early as the 11th minute when Franklin Cale tested Itumeleng Khune with a shot from close range but the Amakhosi goalkeeper was equal to the task.
Komphela’s men knocked the ball around to the delight of their supporters and with the confidence growing among the Chiefs players, Lebese came close to breaking the deadlock in the 17th minute but he fired wide.
On the other end, former Chiefs striker Collin Mbesuma failed to meet Cale’s inviting cross as the Zambian saw his poor header sail way over the bar.
And with half an hour gone, it was Lebese’s turn to combine with Twala but again the end result was disappointing as Twala’s leftfooted strike flew over.
Chiefs, however, were not going to settle for a point and made their intentions clear in the second half, more so when they forced Highlands into a mad scramble just before the hour mark.
With the hosts failing to clear, Sibusiso Khumalo was given acres of space but his effort was in vain and left many a Chiefs fan disappointed.
Chiefs’ persistent play paid off when they were awarded a penalty and Lebese made no mistake from the spot kick to hand Chiefs a morale-boosting win and also gave Komphela some breathing space, for now. Other results FS Stars 0, Arrows 1 Maritzburg 0, SuperSport 1